An Economic Analysis of Marketing Efficiency and Price Spread of Lemon in Pali District of Rajasthan, India
Dimpal Kumari
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan-(334006), India.
Deepak Kumar Jain
Department of Agricultural Economics & Management, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan-(313 001), India.
Shirish Sharma
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan-(334006), India.
Deepak Meena *
Department of Agricultural Economics & Management, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan-(313 001), India.
Kashish Choudhary
Department of Agricultural Economics & Management, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan-(313 001), India.
Kavita Nitharwal
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan-(334006), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
An essential commercial fruit crop in India, lemons (Citrus limon L.) significantly increase the horticultural economy and farmers' incomes. In this study, the marketing channels, price spread, market margins, and marketing effectiveness of lemons in Rajasthan's Pali district are analyzed. The Acharya modified measure of marketing efficiency was used to identify and assess four marketing channels. The total sample size was 80 farmers and 20 intermediaries. The findings showed significant differences in producer share, profits, and marketing costs among channels. The maximum marketing efficiency (0.99) and producer's share (100%) were achieved by Channel IV (Producer–Consumer), which was followed by Channel III (Producer–Pre-harvest contractor–Retailer–Consumer). Multiple-intermediary channels showed less efficiency and a larger pricing spread. The study highlights the need to promote direct marketing and reduce intermediary dominance to enhance farmers’ income and marketing efficiency in lemon cultivation.
Keywords: Lemon marketing, price spread, marketing efficiency, producer’s share, Rajasthan